SBS’s upcoming Friday–Saturday drama Wicked World unveiled a 55-second special teaser on December 31, hinting at a bold romance between Im Ji Yeon and Heo Nam Jun. The teaser was first revealed during the 2025 SBS Drama Awards as part of the network’s new drama lineup, before being uploaded to SBS’s official YouTube channels.
Wicked World is described as a high-intensity romance drama that follows Shin Seo Ri (played by Im Ji Yeon), a struggling actress possessed by the soul of a notorious Joseon-era villainess, and Cha Se Gye (played by Heo Nam Jun), a ruthless conglomerate heir often referred to as a “monster of capitalism.” The drama is directed by Han Tae Seop, known for Stove League and Cheer Up, with a script by rising writer Kang Hyun Joo.
The project has drawn particular attention for pairing Im Ji Yeon and Heo Nam Jun in a fresh on-screen combination. Im Ji Yeon recently earned praise for her immersive historical performance in JTBC’s The Tale of Lady Ok, which recorded peak ratings of 13.6 percent. Heo Nam Jun, meanwhile, has steadily built recognition through JTBC’s A Hundred Memories and ENA’s Your Honor, showcasing a distinctive presence and mature acting style.
The teaser quickly went viral, surpassing 200,000 views and accumulating over 200 comments within half a day of its release. Online reactions praised the drama’s originality, tone, and casting chemistry.
In the teaser, Im Ji Yeon appears as the infamous Joseon villainess Hee Bin Kang, Kang Dan Sim, who defiantly rejects a bowl of poison and cries out, “What exactly is my crime?” before meeting her end. Moments later, the scene abruptly shifts as a staff member yells “Cut! Okay!” revealing that Dan Sim has awakened in 2026 as Shin Seo Ri, an unknown actress on a historical drama set.
As Seo Ri stares in disbelief at modern-day Seoul, the phrase “A Joseon villainess falls into 2026” appears on screen, signaling a dramatic time-slip twist. The mood shifts again with the introduction of Cha Se Gye, whose cold charisma perfectly matches his reputation as a merciless tycoon.
Their first encounter turns chaotic and comedic, as Seo Ri aggressively swings flowers at Se Gye while hurling old-fashioned insults, prompting him to confront her in the middle of the street. Their absurd standoff resembling a sword fight with bouquets and branches sets the stage for a volatile, tension-filled romance.
The teaser closes with Seo Ri’s narration declaring, “I will come for you soon, Cha Se Gye,” intercut with past and present scenes of the heroine falling into someone’s arms, heightening anticipation for their intertwined fate.
Following the teaser’s release, viewers flooded the comments with reactions such as, “This already looks fun just from the setup,” “Im Ji Yeon’s acting never misses,” “The casting is insane,” and “Please fast-forward to May.”
SBS’s Wicked World is scheduled to premiere in May 2026, promising viewers a bold and thrilling new take on romantic storytelling.
Sources: wikitree